ETHERLEY LANE PRIMARY SCHOOL in Durham, Bishop Auckland

Education Centre Information: Etherley Lane Primary School:

Establishment Type:Community School
Phase of Education: Primary
Status: Open
Local Authority: Durham
Boarders: No Boarders
Sixth Form: Does not have a sixth form
Urban/Rural Description: Urban > 10k - less sparse
Special Classes: No Special Classes
Religious Character: Does not apply
Nursery Provider: No Nursery Classes
Total Pupils: 273
Number of boys: 128
Number of girls: 145
Age Range: 4-11
Gender: Mixed
View inspection reports

Background:

The school opened in 1932. There are seven classrooms housed in the main original building. A kitchen, hall, library and offices were added in the 1960s and the other three classes are accommodated in the newly-built millenium wing. Since 1997, the school has undergone 'extensive' modernisation including a new boiler plant, electrical rewire and window replacement. The school has one large and two small yards as well as a fairly large playing field with a wildlife area. The school has a three-year action plan to enhance the grounds. The school'serves a mixed catchment area which includes modern housing estates and terraces of streets running down into the town centre. It offers a wide variety of extra-curricular activities including athletics, chess, country dancing, cricket, football, gardening, golf, infant club, netball, recorder group and 'tag' rugby. The school reached the regional final of the Wrigley Schools Cricket Tournament and the final of the county 'tag' rugby competition in 2000. Its many links with the local community include the local arts centre and the retirement home. In a recent venture, pupils worked with other local schools and the local newspaper to edit and produce a community newspaper. The town of Bishop Auckland is twinned with Bad Oeynhausen in Germany, and pupils and parents from Etherley Lane Primary take part in exchange visits with its twin school there. The school also supports a number of charities including Guide Dogs for the Blind and Save the Children, for which it has received a certificate of thanks from Princess Anne.